It seems like physician finders are as common an add-on service for mobile health apps as medication reminders. It’s all part of the consumerization of healthcare trend. With such a big market in the U.S., entrepreneurs sense opportunity and an appetite for experimentation. BetterDoctor sees its invitation-only service as a way to ensure that users get a better experience.
Nine months after making its debut on iTunes app store, it has raised $2.6m in seed funding from a group of venture investors. It claims to have served 4 million people since January.
Here’s how it works. Users enter a doctor specialty, insurance carrier and the city they live in. Users can also rate physicians on the site.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Investors in the company include seed stage investor SoftTechVC, 500 Startups and healthcare venture investor Burrill & Co. Jeff Clavier from SoftTech and Dirk Lammerts from Burrill & Co are joining the company’s board.
Other physician finder websites have taken a different approach to matching the right physician with the right patient ala eHarmony, such as NaviGo Health. Its product, CompassMD, matches newly diagnosed cancer patients with doctors depending how they answer questions about their communication, decision-making, treatment and personality preferences.
Among some of the other physician finder/ratings websites are ZocDoc, Vitals, and Health Grades.
NorthCarolina-based Axial Exchange developed a patient engagement index to evaluate hospitals based on personal health resources, social engagement and patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction will be even more important in the future as provisions in the Affordable Care Act make it a factor in reimbursement.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Mobile health deals dominated venture capital investment in healthcare IT in the third quarter, according to data from Mercom Capital Group. About $161 million was invested in 43 deals.
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